Controlling means for batch operating machines



1937- c. DUMBLE 2,086,152

CONTROLLING MEANS FOR BATCH OPERATING MACHINES Filed Nov. 4, 1935 Patented July 6, 1937 hire sr'rss LtSdlZil rarest ATENG ENES Cliff rd R. Bumble, Arlington Heights, as-

si gr --r, mesne assignments, to California Process Company, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of Nevada Application November 4, 1935, Serial No. 48,235

9 @laisos.

This invention relates to means for controlling the time required for a cycle of operation of machines designed to operate upon batches of materials, such as so-called duster-s, fibre clean- 5 ing machines, stock washing machines, and the like. Such batch machines are usually provided with means for feeding material into a chamber wherein it is operated upon for a desired length of time and then discharged; then a fresh batch of material is fed in and the cycle repeated. In such machines it is frequently necessary or desirable to vary the time of actual treatment of the batch of material, according to the kind or quality thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide novel electric timing means whereby the length of time required for feeding material into the operating chamber may be kept uniform; and also the time required for discharging the material from the operating chamber may be kept uniform; but 20 the time required for operating upon a batch of material (i. e., the time between the feeding and discharging operations) may be increased or diminished in accordance with the kind or quality of the material being treated.

My invention provides novel means including light sensitive devices controlling the electric circuits operating the electro-mechanical devices for feeding material into the chamber; and also the circuits operating the electro-mechanical means for discharging the material from the chamber.

To accomplish this object I have invented novel electro-mechanical control means, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wliiich I will explain with reference thereto; and set forth in the claims the novel features, and novel constructions and combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing:

1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating my novel controlling mechanism in connection with a batch cluster of the type referred to; and

Fig. 2 is a view of one of the disks, detached. As shown in the dr wing, my timer includes a movable member or disk i moving between lights such as 2 and 3 and related light sensitive devices such as phototubes and 5; which are respectively connected to relays El and it connected in circuit with the feed mechanism and the discharge door mechanism of the batch Ina-- chine in connection with which the invention is employed.

The disk i may be rotated at uniform speed by any suitable mechanism. As shown it is de- (Cl. 161 l) tachably mounted upon a shaft ta driven by speed reducing gearing 5 from a motor ":1. One terminal of motor 7 is connected by wire id to the lead it of the power input; and the other terminal is connected by wire to the lead lid of said input.

Disk i may have one or more groups of perforations or slots la, lb, the perforations in each group being disposed on diiferent pitch circles. The rays from lights 2 and 3 respectively pass through the related perforations to the related phototubes and 5. The rays of light before passing through said perforations are preferably brought to a focus in the plane of the disk by means of double plane-convex condensing lenses e and s interposed between the lights and the disk.

Light 2 is connected by wires i i, to a stepdown transformer l6; and lamp 3 connected by wires ll, iii to a step-down transformer l9. The primary voltages of the transformers may be controlled by a General Radio Variac 26 con nected by wires ll, 22 to the leads l2, ltd. Such Varia is fully shown and described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,009,013, dated July 23, 1935, and needs no further description herein. The primaries of the said transformers are connected to variac 2% by wires 23, 2 1.

The light sensitive device or phototube i is connected by wires 25, 28 to the switch coil Zla of a relay 2?, the main switch coil Zl'lb of which is in circuit with the contacts of switch coil and connected by wires 28, 2a to the input leads i2, i2a. When coil filo is energized by phototube the normally open switch contacts will be closed to complete the circuit from the leads l2, lfia to the main switch coil 2'51), thereby closing the normally open relay switch Zlc, one side of which is connected by wire 39 clir ctly to one lead iii of a solenoid W controlling the discharge operating devices. The other side of switch is connected by wire 32 to the power lead l2; and lead lad, is directly connected to a wire 33 having a branch connected to the other lead Eta of said solenoid.

A pilot lamp Ed is connected by wires 35, 36, 3'5 across the wire 38 and lead lid; and when lamp 3 5. fails to light it signifies that lamp 2 has burned out, or that phototube circuit is not working.

In the example shown, a second light sensitive device or phototube 5 is connected by wires 38, 353 to the coil lilo of a normally open switch the contacts of which are in circuit with the main switch coil till) of a relay 4Q. Coil 197) is connected by wires 28, 29 to the power leads l2, l2a. Switch 490 of relay All is normally open, but closes when coil 59b is energized. One side of switch 480 is connected by wire t? to one lead 53 of a motor M which operates the feed mechanism. The other side of switch We is connected by wire A l to the power lead The other lead 63a of motor M is connected through wires 33b and 33 to the power lead lfla. When switch 460 is closed motor M will be energized. Preferably a so-called Arrow connector and plug Sip is inserted between the leads 3%], 3i and 3-30., cm, and a similar Arrow connection 53p is inserted between the leads 3-3bt3a and 62-43. Such connectors are made by the Arrow Electric Co, of Hartford, Connecticut, and are not essentials of the invention, but simply aiford a simple means for opening the circuits in case repair are necessary.

The relays 2i and All are preferably of the LE type, manufactured by Westinghouse Electric Mfg. Co, but the particular construction of such relays is not a feature of the present invention.

A pilot lamp 44 is connected by wires 31, i5, 46 across the wire 42 and lead We and if lamp fails to light it signifies that lamp 3 has burned. out, or that phototube circuit is not working. Preferably the lamps 2 and 3 are provided with two filaments, the second one being merely a spare; only one filament is used at a time and the second filament is used only when the first burns out.

Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the electrical connections between my novel timing devices aforesaid and the machine to be controlled thereby. For convenience, and to facilitate an understanding of the operation, I will describe the connections between the timer and a Duster of the type shown in the copending application of Brown et al., Serial No. 713,062, filed February 26, 1934, Patent No. 2,036,915 of April'l, 1936.

The duster, indicated in Fig. 1, comprises a rotary beater A mounted in a chamber B partially surrounded by screens C. The beater A may be rotated continuously at uniform speed by any suitable means. As shown it is driven by a belt J from a motor K. Material is fed into chamber B by a conveyor D and feed rolls E. One feed roll E may be driven by a belt L from motor M. Material may be discharged from the chamber through an opening normally closed by a door F mounted on a rock shaft G; and the door F may be opened and closed by means of a pitman I connected to an arm H on rock shaft G and to a piston N in a cylinder 0, to which air, or other fluid, may be admitted through pipes P or Q from a pipe X connected to a suitable fluid supply. The admission of fluid to cylinder is controlled by a valve R, in a casing S, said valve having a stem T normally held down by contractile springs U. Stem T is connected to the core of solenoid W. When the solenoid is excited valve R will be raised and the air or fluid will be admitted into the upper end of cylinder 0 and depress the piston N thereby opening door F.

In such duster a batch of material is fed into the chamber B by conveyor D, and after it has been sufficiently operated upon by beater A the discharge door F is opened and the material discharged; then door F is closed; then a fresh batch of material is fed in by the conveyor D; and the aforesaid cycle of operations repeated.

Operation The several operations of feeding material to the operating chamber; the length of time the material is operated on in the chamber; and the discharge of material from the chamber, are controlled by my invention follows:

The holes la, lb of each group in disk I (see Fig. 2) are shown as spaced about 192 apart; but this angularity can be altered if desired. The outer hole is controls the opening and closing of the discharge door 1 and the inner hole lb controls the operation of the feed conveyor motor M.

Vv'nen switch ii in power lead it is closed, the circuit to motor i will be completed, and disk I will be rotated in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 2) and lamps 2 and 3 will be lighted.

Each time perforation la in the disk registers with the ray of light from lamp 2, the phototube l will be excited and the coil 21a of relay 2'! will close the circuit to the main coil ill), and switch il'lo will be closed, thereby completing the circuit from the power leads l2, l2c through the solenoid W; and this circuit will remain closed as long as the perforation la permits light rays from lamp to reach the phototube 4. When solenoid W is energized valve R will be raised and the discharge door F of the duster will be opened as above described. When perforation la passes out of register with the beam of light from lamp 2, switch Zlc will automatically open, thereby opening the circuit to solenoid W whereupon valve it will be depressed by the springs U permitting air to pass into the lower end of cylinder and raise the piston N and close the discharge door F.

Thereafter the perforation lb in the disk will register with the beam of light from lamp 3 and phototube 5 will be excited; and switch coil 4% of relay do will be closed whereupon the main coil dill) will be excited and close switch 400, which closes the circuit to motor M, as above described, and the feed conveyor will be operated as long as perforation lb permits passage of rays of light from lamp 3. When perforation lb passes out of register with the rays of light from lamp 3 the circuit to coil of relay 412 will be opened, and switch lilc will automaticall open; whereupon motor M will stop and the feed of material arrested. Assuming the rotation is as shown, a hole lot will st rt the door, and 12 later a hole lb will start the conveyor. In such case the two holes would be 192 apart. Lights 2 and 3 are placed on the horizontal plane, but on different radii. if phototube :l fails to operate, relay 2'! is inoperative, and therefore, the circuit through 34 and M will not close. This also applies if either lights 2 or burn out. The lamps 34 and 34 could burn out and still the apparatus function, but when the lamp goes out it indicates that something is wrong.

The time for a complete duster cycle of operations can be readily computed according to the speed of rotation of disk i, and the number of groups of holes in, ii) therein. To obtain the actual processing time e., the action on the material by the beater) it is necessary to deduct from the cycle the time intervals required for opening and closing the door and for operating the feed conveyor D, which time intervals are controlled by the size of the perforations or slots la, lb respectively. The tim interval between the door closing operation and the operation of the feed conveyor is controlled by the angle between the holes id and H? n ea h o ps access? having the desired number and arrangement of groups.

The size of the holes or slots in tl disks, and the relation between the time that the door is open and the closed, and the length of time that the closing of the door and the starting of the conveyor are controlled by the size of the holes and the distance between them.

I have described the relay circuits controlled by the phototubes, as being energized or closed when the light beams pass through the perforations in the moving member or disk l; and as described the phototubes are normally dark and the relay circuits are closed only when a light passes through a hole or perforation in the inovi g m her i and illuminates the related photo tube. the parts could be so arranged that would be closed when the phototue and opened when the photctubes ilii While I have described my in ention as use in connection with a duster, is applicable to other kinds and types of machines working upon batches of material, and is not limited to clusters. Further, while I have described tr invention as having a separate motor for disk l, I do not consider the invention restricted to such a drive; for said disk could be driven by clock mechanism, or in some instances could be driven if desired from the beater shaft, or main shaft of the machine with which my controlling apparatus is employed.

Also while I have illustrated the invention as having two phototube light circuits, I do not consider the invention limited to this as in some cases one could be used; and other c ses more could be employed according to the mber of circuits it is desired to centre. while I have described the control member rotatable disk, which is a most conve em for 1, obviously a perforated slide could be used wit proper means to move the same between the lamps and the phototubes.

I claim:

1. In combination with a batch processing machine having a feed and a delivery, an electrically controlled means for operating the feed, and an independent electrically controlled for operating the delivery; of a timing mechanism for controlling the processing of batches in centdous succession comprising a movable member having holes, one hole for controlling the delivery means, and the other hole for controlling the feed means; a plurality of means for focusing light beams at one side of the member in the path of the respective holes; a plurality of phototubes at the other side of the member each disposed to respond to light passing thro h the hole with which it associated; an electric e cuit controlled by one phototube ior actuat the delivery control means; and another ElEcLllC circuit controlled by the other phototube for actuating the feed control means; the time ing which the delivery means is actuated and the time during which the feed means is in d the o c 2. combination wi n chine having a feed and batch pro-see a delivery, a norm clu ing means for operat 'ependent r rmally ope rig electri ally control:-= for operating the delivery; a tim ng in cc-ntrolli ruous sue-c er ing Zeed, and e ectric circuit inclu p 1- electric eircui c. each disposed e hole with tit is associ "ic ci cult controlled by one photc--- e during which the delivery circuit is closed and the time during which the feed circuit is g determined by the speed of move d the of the hole! 5 nation z. V oeessing feed and a o an electr cans the feed, a

e co rolled means for of a timing mechanism 30 of batches in continumovable member; 'ubes on one side said m mconnected to operate said d 0* era ng means and another phototube rested t operate said delivery operating rn ans; plurality of light sources on the opposite side said member corresponding with phctotube said movable member containing a plurality of groups of holes, each group includ- 4O ing a hole for transi ting light to the feed operating phototube, and hole r transmitting light to said delivery operating phototube.

l. c .Zon with a batch processing 1naed and a delivery, an electrically for operating the feed, and an pendent ieally co olled means for opthe delivery; of a toning mechanism for controlling the processing of batches in cont ous succession comprising a movable member, a plurality of phototubes on one side of member, one phototube being connected to operate said feed operating means and another phototube connected to opera e said delivery operating means;

' of ligr 11 sources on the opposite side of 5 ber corresponding with said phototubes; said movabl member containing a plurality of groups of holes, each group including a hole for transmitting light to th feed operating phototube, and a hole for transmitting light to said de- (30 livery operating phototube; the time between the end of the feed operation and beginning of the delivery operation being determined by the speed of the in mber and the distance between the feed controlling hole or" one group and delivery conto trolling hole of the next adjacent group along the line of movement or" the movable member.

5. n combination with a batch processing machine 1a ing a feed and a delivery, an electrically controlled means for operating the feed, and an independent electrically controlled means for operating the delivery; of a timing mechanism for controlling the processing or" bat-cries in continuous succession comprising a movable memher; a plurality of phototubes on one side of said 7 rnember, one phototube being connected to operate said feed operating means and another phototube connected to operate said delivery operating means; a plurality of light sources on the opposite of said member corresponding with said photctubes; said movable member containing a plurality oi groups of holes, each group including a hole for transmitting light to the feed operating phototube, and a hole icr transmitting light to said delivery operat ng phototube; the time during which the delivery circuit is closed and the time du 'ng which the feed circuit is closed being determi ed by the speed of movement of the member and the size oi the holes, and the time interval between the delivery and the feed being de ermined by the difference between the distances the ho s in each group alon the line of movement 0" e movable member from their respective light ioci.

6. In combination with a batch processing machine having a feed and a delivery, an electrically controlled means for operating the feed, and an independent electrically controlled means for operating the delivery; of a timing mechanism for controlling the processing of batches in continuous succession, co prising a movable member; a plurality of phototubes on one side or" said mernone phototube being connected to ope ate said feed operating another phototube connected to operate said delivery 0 crating means; a plurality of light sources on th opposite side of member corr pending ch said phototubes; said movable member containing a plurality of groups of holes, each group including a hole for transmitting light to the f ed operat ing phototube, and a hole for tra itting light to said. delivery operating phototubc; time during which the delivery circuit is closed and the time during which the feed circuit is closed being determined by the speed of movem nt of the member and the size of the holes; the time interval between delivery and feed being deterby the difference between distances of the holes in each group along the line of movement of the movable member from their respective light loci; and the time between the of the feed operation and begin ing of the discharge operation being determined by the speed of movement of the member and the distance between the feed cor rolling holes of one group and the delivery controlling hole of the next adjacent group along the line of movement of the movable memher.

7. In combination with a batch processing ma chine having a feed a delivery, an electrically controlled for operating the feed, and an independent electrically controlled means for operating the delivery; of a timing mechanism for controlling the process ng of bat in continuous succession comprl rotatable dish; a plurality of photctubes at one side of the disk, one phototube being connected to operate said feed operating means, and another phototube connected to operate said delivery operating means; a plurality of light sources on the opposite side of said disk corresponding with said phototubes, said disk containing a plurality of groups or" holes, each group including a hole for transmitting light to the feed controlling phototube and a hole for transmitting light to said delivery controiling phototube; the time during which the delivery circuit is closed and the time during which the feed circuit is closed being determined by the speed of rotation of the disk and the size of the holes; the time interval between delivery and feed caused by each group of holes being determined by the difference between the distances of the holes in each group in the direction of rotation of the disk from their respective light foci; and the time between the end 01' the feed operation and beginning oi the discharge operation caused by the groups oi holes being determined by the speed of rotation of the disk and the distance between the feed controlling hole of one group and the delivery controlling hole of the next adjacent group in the direction of rotation of the disk.

8. In combination with a batch processing machine having a feed and a delivery, a normally open electric circuit including means for operating the feed, and an independent normally open electric circuit including electrically controlled means for operating the delivery; or" a timing mechanism for controlling the processing of batches in continuous succession comprising a movable member; a plurality of phototubcs on one side of said member, one phototube being connected to operate said feed operating means and another phototube connected to operate said delivery operating means; a plurality of light sources on the opposite side of said member corresponding with said phototubes; said movable member containing a plurality of groups of holes, each group including a hole for transmitting light to the feed operating phototube, and a hole for transmitting light to said delivery operating phototube; a primary electric circuit controlled by one phototube for closing the normally open delivery operating circuit; and another primary electric circuit controlled by the other phototube for closing the normally open feed control circuit, the time during which the delivery circuit is closed and the time during which the feed circuit is closed being determined by the movement of the member and the size of the holes; and the time between the end of the feed operation and beginning of the discharge operation caused by the groups of holes being determined by the movement of the member and the distance between the feed controlling hole of one group and the delivery controlling hole of the next adjacent group along the direction of movement of the member.

9. In combination with a batch processing machine having a feed and a delivery, a normally open electric circuit including means for operating the feed, and an independent normally open electric circuit including electrically controlled means for operating the delivery; of a timing mechanism for controlling the processin of batches in continuous succession, comprising a movable member; a plurality of phototubes on one side of said member, one phototube being connected to operate said feed operating means and another phototube connected to operate said delivery operating means; a plurality of light sources on the opposite side of said member corresponding with said phototubes; said movable member containing a plurality of groups of holes, each group including a hole for transmitting light to the feed operating phototube, and a hole for transmitting light to said delivery operating phototube; a primary electric circuit controlled by one phototube for closing the normally open delivery operating circuit, and another primary electric circuit controlled by the other phototube for closing the normally open feed control circuit, the time during which the delivery circuit is closed and the time during which the feed circuit is closed being determined by the movement of the member and the size of the holes; the time interval between delivery and feed caused by the holes of each group being determined by the difierence between the distances of the holes in each group in the direction of movement of the member from their respective light foci; and the time between the end of the feed operation and beginning of the discharge operation caused by the groups of holes being determined by the movement of the member and the distance between the feed controlling hole of one group and the delivery controlling hole of the next adjacent group along the direction of movement of the member.

CLIFFORD R. DUMBLE. 

